Thursday 14 January 2016

Victor Loukas - How Mobile Market Research is Changing the Industry

Victor Loukas has worked in the market research industry for well over a decade, and during that time period, he has seen some extreme changes in how research is conducted. While it used to be that all research was conducted in person or on paper, the internet has changed that, making it easy to connect with people from around the world with a click of a button. And now that smartphone usage is eclipsing desktop computer usage, there is a new trend: mobile market research .

Victor Loukas

 Smartphones allow research companies to collect real time information extremely quickly, whether that be through answering questions, sharing pictures, or even uploading videos. Market research companies are now developing apps that will allow mobile users to participate in research on the go, which is great for those who travel or do not have access to a traditional computer setup all the time. Consumers love participating in research this way because it is quick and easy, and requires minimal time commitment. Market research companies like it because they can collect more personal data about the consumer (for example, a video detailing how they use a product and their reaction to it, instead of just an answer to a survey question).

With this new trend emerging, market research companies are having to rework their data collection strategies in order to keep up with consumer’s needs and stay relevant. Victor Loukas is now working with his company on creating and conducting mobile surveys as well as a mobile app to better connect with consumers.

Saturday 2 January 2016

Victor Loukas - The Importance of Demographics and Target Audience in Market Research

Victor Loukas is a market research specialist in the San Jose area, and has over fifteen years of experience in the field. One of the most important components of market research is surveying a wide variety of demographics and analyzing the results to determine a target audience for the client’s advertising campaign and product placement. If the demographics that are studied are skewed in any way, this can affect the integrity of the data and produce ineffective research.

Victor Loukas
Victor Loukas
There are many demographic factors that are important in market research. Basic factors like age and gender are some of the most important, but it is also beneficial to dig deeper into the consumer’s lifestyle to determine their needs, wants, and motivation. Collecting information from your consumers like race, socioeconomic status, religion, political views, level of education, and location can help you locate any trends in your customer base, and you can see if it matches up with your ideal audience, or change your focus if you find you aren’t reaching your target market.

For example, if you are targeting male professionals in their late 20’s and early 30’s for a tech product, but find that your actual consumer base consists mostly of middle-aged couples, you can adjust your strategy so that you can both appeal to your actual consumer base and better target your ideal audience. Ways to do this include changing your social media strategy, placing advertisements in different publications, or sending samples or promotional offers to the audience that you want. By focusing on demographics in market research, Victor Loukas believes that you can better uncover your customer’s needs.